Ugandan Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero has today officially flagged off the distribution of 2.278 million doses (out of a total quantity of 3.5 million doses) of malaria vaccines to 105 districts with high and moderate transmission across Uganda, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against malaria. The vaccination will eventually be rolled out to the entire country.
This initiative is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, with co-financing from the Government of Uganda. The procurement and air freighting of the vaccines have been undertaken by UNICEF.
The malaria vaccine will be introduced into the routine immunization schedule in April 2025, targeting children aged below two years. This will be the largest malaria vaccine introduction to date in terms of the number of districts and target population. The four-dose vaccine will be administered at 6, 7, 8, and 18 months, ensuring optimal protection from malaria during the most vulnerable stages of early childhood.
“The malaria vaccine, a critical intervention in Uganda’s comprehensive malaria prevention strategy, will be integrated into routine immunization services to protect young children who are most vulnerable to the disease. Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death of young children in Uganda, and the introduction of the vaccine is expected to significantly reduce severe illness and deaths, among children under five years,” the health ministry says in a statement.
Speaking at the flag-off event, Dr. Aceng emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening disease prevention efforts and building resilient health systems. “The introduction of the malaria vaccine in Uganda is a historic step forward in our fight against this deadly disease. With the support of Gavi, UNICEF, and other partners, we are ensuring that every eligible child has access to this life-saving intervention,” the Minister said.
UNICEF, responsible for the procurement and air freighting of the vaccines, reaffirmed its commitment to child health and immunization efforts in Uganda. “Today, we turn a page in Uganda’s health story. With the introduction of the malaria vaccine, we are delivering hope for children in Uganda. This introduction means that the national immunization schedule now includes 14 vaccines to be delivered during childhood, among the highest on the continent. We now must ensure these vaccines are delivered safely and efficiently. We urge all parents to ensure that their children receive 2 the full range of vaccines, including the new malaria vaccine” said Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative to Uganda.
Gavi, which is responsible for coordinating the global malaria vaccination programme and providing financial support for procurement, transport and rollout of doses, has so far supported 17 African countries to introduce the vaccine as part of their routine immunisation programmes. Gavi also works closely with countries and partners to ensure malaria vaccines are delivered as part of a holistic malaria control and prevention package.
